Gov’t Shutdown?
Congress just approved a continuing resolution to kick the funding ball from before the 2026 midterms to December 11th. If Democrats win the midterms, they will have good reason to push for a budget reflecting our values, but they won’t actually take Congressional power until January. That makes the possibility of a short, year-end shutdown just as many of the effects of the Big Beautiful Bill kick in, relatively high. Prepare for a bumpy fiscal year-end!
What we do:
Prepare for disruption. Again. This is going to keep being a problem until we have parties that can negotiate and cooperate in good faith again. Put your oxygen mask on so you can keep up the fight, then look around to see how you can help.
Everyone should take care of federal business ASAP. If you need to contact a federal agency for any reason, do it now: social security changes, retirement benefits, Medicare billing issues, IRS questions…if it touches a federal worker, do it before offices are furloughed or closed. Keep end-of-year business (like taxes) in mind, too.
If you are a federal employee, do what you can to save money. Cash out accrued time off, if that’s an option. Take home anything you wouldn’t want to be locked away from if your office closes, from plants to personal email on your work address. Prepare for the possibility of offices closing while you’re away for holiday vacation. Familiarize yourself with local food banks and resources, and use them.
If you have the means, ramp up mutual aid efforts now. Volunteer to help people get ready. Donate to food banks. Build resilience into the system because whether the government shuts down in December, or not until next year’s fight, we’re going to keep facing this uncertainty until we have parties capable of negotiating and passing a real budget each year.
